Device for reducing sweeping effort

ABSTRACT

The subject invention is a new and novel cleaning device for removing dust or dirt from the surface of a floor. The cleaning device comprises a base into which a handle is inserted in the upper side of the base. A cleaning surface is attached to the underside of the base. An apparatus is provided for reducing the amount of effort necessary to push the cleaning device across the surface of a floor comprising a block having a rolling device and means for mounting the apparatus to the handle such that during operation said apparatus is supported by the handle and the rolling device rolls along the surface of the floor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to push brooms, mops, and other like cleaning apparatus that are pushed along the surface of a floor, and more particularly, to a device that can be attached to a cleaning apparatus, such as a conventional push broom or mop, and is effective for reducing the effort necessary to push the cleaning apparatus across the surface being cleaned.

Various devices have been developed for removing dirt and dust from floor and other smooth surfaces. Early devices that were developed were sweeping brooms made by bundling long thin strands, such as straw, to form bristles and fastening the bundle to a wooden or plastic stick or pole that forms a handle. Such brooms are typically found in the home and are effective for sweeping relatively small areas. Later, push brooms were developed which were found to be more suitable for sweeping dirt and dust from larger surface areas than sweeping brooms. Characteristically, such brooms comprise an elongated or rectangular base, generally formed from wood, into which a handle is inserted in the upper side of the base. A plurality of bristles are attached to the underside of the base, the side that faces away from the base and handle. Typically, the upper surface of the elongated base, the side opposite the bristles, is provided with a cylindrical bore having internal female threads. The bore is inclined so that its axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated base and is at an oblique angle with respect to the plane of the upper surface of the base. The handle is provided at its lower end with a male thread that is shaped and sized to permit the handle to be screwed into the bore and secured in place.

In addition to sweeping brooms and push brooms, dust mops were developed that typically comprise a collection of strands of yarn fastened to a fabric backing which is adapted for connecting to a handle typically formed from a wooden or metal pole.

Both push brooms and dust mops operate such that the user holds the upper end of the handle at an angle which will position the broom bristles substantially perpendicular to the floor for maximum sweeping contact or for maintaining the fabric backing of the dust mop parallel to the surface of the floor. The dust and dirt to be swept from the floor are then pushed in front of the user by the broom bristles or fabric backing until it is displaced to a desired location where it can be picked up and discarded.

Unfortunately, one problem with such conventional push brooms and dust mops is that both devices have a relatively large cleaning surface area contacting the surface of the floor. Accordingly, a large amount of effort is necessary to push the device across the surface of the floor. This amount of effort is often increased if the floor surface is damp or wet, or has a tacky substance thereon. Thus, it can be particularly difficult if the device is being used by someone that is older in age or is physically challenged. In order to overcome such problems, devices have been developed that operate to reduce the friction between the cleaning surface of the device and the surface of the floor. One such device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,694,561 whereby friction reducing wheels are provided on arms extending from the cleaning surface. As shown, the device may include an actuating means for rotating the wheels downwardly towards the floor. Further, the device may include a kit adapted to enable the modification of a traditional sweeping device to incorporate the device. Unfortunately, for many uses, such devices are relatively costly and are relatively complicated to install and cannot be easily moved from one sweeping device to another.

Accordingly, what is needed is a new and novel device for reducing the amount of effort necessary to push a push broom or a dust mop across the surface of a floor, that can be used on most conventional push brooms and dust mops, that can be easily installed and removed, and that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention is a new and novel cleaning device for removing dust or dirt from the surface of a floor. The cleaning device comprises an elongated or rectangular base, generally formed from wood, into which a handle is inserted in the upper side of the base. A cleaning surface, such as a plurality of bristles, is attached to the underside of the base, the side that faces away from the base and handle. The upper surface of the elongated base, the side opposite the cleaning surface, is provided with a cylindrical bore having internal female threads. The bore is inclined so that its axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated base and is at an oblique angle with respect to the plane of the upper surface of the base. The handle is provided at its lower end with a male thread that is shaped and sized to permit the handle to be screwed into the bore and secured in place. An apparatus is provided for reducing the amount of effort necessary to push the cleaning device across the surface of a floor.

Preferably, the apparatus for reducing the amount of effort necessary to push the cleaning device across the surface of a floor comprises an elongated block having a top face and a bottom face, first and second side faces, and an upper end and a lower end. The lower end is provided with a wheel or roller extending longitudinally therefrom. The elongated block further comprises at least one aperture extending through the top and lower faces and is adapted to receive therethrough the handle of the cleaning device. In operation, when the handle is held in position by a user for pushing the cleaning device across the surface of the floor, the elongated block extends downwardly from the handle such that the roller or wheel contacts and rolls along the surface of the floor thereby reducing the friction between the cleaning surface of the device and the surface of the floor.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the apparatus for reducing the amount of effort to push the cleaning device across the surface of a floor comprises means for securing the elongated block in position on the handle.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the means for securing the elongated block on the handle comprises clamping means which operates to clamp the elongated block onto the handle.

In another preferred embodiment of the apparatus for reducing the amount of effort to push the cleaning device across the surface of a floor, the elongated core includes a slot extending through the upper end and extending into the aperture forming first and second wing portions and wherein the wing portions include means for moving the wing portions together for effectively tightening the aperture around the handle.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the wing portions include a threaded hole for receiving a screw having complementary threads effective for moving the wing portions closer together.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the means for moving the wing portions together comprises a clamp.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the cleaning surface comprises a collection of strands of yarn fastened to a fabric backing which is adapted for connecting to the base.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention is an apparatus effective for reducing the amount of effort to push a cleaning device across the surface of a floor, the apparatus comprises an elongated base having a top face and a bottom face, first and second side faces, and an upper end and a lower end. The lower end is provided with a rolling means, such as a wheel or roller. The elongated base further comprises at least one aperture extending through the top and lower faces and adapted to receive the handle of the cleaning device.

Other benefits and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying, drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To provide a more complete understanding of the present invention and further features and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning device of a cleaning device having an elongated or rectangular base into which a handle is inserted in the upper side of the base;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the cleaning device of FIG. 1 further having an apparatus effective for reducing the amount of effort to push a cleaning device across the surface of a floor attached to the handle;

FIG. 3 is an expanded view of a portion of the cleaning device of FIG. 1 having the apparatus effective for reducing the amount of effort to push the cleaning device across the surface of a floor of FIG. 2 attached to the handle of the cleaning device; and

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the apparatus effective for reducing the amount of effort to push the cleaning device across the surface of a floor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, the cleaning device 100 of the subject invention is shown comprising an elongated or rectangular base 102, generally formed from wood, into which a handle 104 is inserted in the upper side 106 of the base 102. A cleaning surface 108, preferably is formed from a plurality of bristles 110 as shown or by a collection of strands of yarn fastened to a fabric backing, is attached to the underside 112 of the base 102, the side that faces away from the base 102 and handle 104. The upper surface 106 of the elongated base 102, the side opposite the cleaning surface 108, is provided with at least one cylindrical bore 116 having internal female threads 118 (FIG. 2). Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the bore 116 is inclined so that its axis 120 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 122 of the elongated base 102 and is at an oblique angle with respect to the plane of the upper surface 106 of the base 102. The handle 104 is provided at its lower end 124 with a male thread 126 that is shaped and sized to permit the handle 104 to be screwed into the bore 116 and secured in place. It should be understood that the handle 104 can be removably attached to the base 102, as described, or can be permanently attached to the base 102, such as by use of an adhesive or by integrally constructing the base 102 and handle 104. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an apparatus 128 for reducing the amount of effort necessary to push the cleaning device 100 across the surface of a floor F is provided and preferably comprises an elongated block 130 having a fist face 132 and a second face 134, first and second side faces 136 and 138, respectively, and an upper end 140 and a lower end 142. The lower end 142 is provided with a rolling device 144, such as a wheel or roller. The elongated block 130 further comprises at least one aperture 146 extending through the top 132 and bottom 134 faces and adapted to receive the handle 104 of the cleaning device 100.

As used herein, the terms “downward” or “downwardly” corresponds to the direction towards the floor F and the terms “upward” or “upwardly” corresponds to a direction away from the floor F.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the apparatus 128 includes means 148 for securing the elongated block 130 on the handle 104 such that during operation the apparatus 128 is solely supported by the handle 104. Preferably means 148 is a clamping means which operates to rigidly clamp the elongated block 130 onto the handle 104. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, preferably the elongated block 130 includes a slot 150 extending through the upper end 140 and extending into the aperture 146 forming first and second wing portions 152 and 154, respectively. Wing portions 152, 154 include means for moving the wing portions 152, 154 together 156 for effectively tightening the aperture 146 around the handle 104. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the wing portions 152 and 154 include a threaded hole 158 for receiving a screw, bolt, or the like 160 having complementary threads effective for moving the wing portions 152 and 154 closer together when the screw 160 is tightened. While the preferred means for attaching the elongated block 130 to the handle 104 is shown and described herein, it should be understood that other means for attaching the elongated block 130 to the handle 104 may be utilized, such as by use of an adhesive, clamp, screws, and other like means. It should also be understood that slot 150 extending through the upper end 140 and extending into the aperture 146 forming wing portions 152, 154 operates to allow the apparatus 128 to expand inwardly or outwardly to accommodate smaller or larger diameter handles 104, respectively.

The rolling device 144 attached to the lower end 142 of the elongated block 130 apparatus 128 is shown mounted to a frame 162. As shown, the frame 162 is rigidly attached to the elongated block 130, but it should be understood that the frame 162 can be swivelly attached to the block 130 to allow the rolling device 144 to swivel.

Referring to FIG. 2, in operation, the cleaning device 100 is shown whereby the user (not shown) pushes the cleaning surface 108 along the surface of the floor F using handle 104. As shown, the apparatus 128 is mounted to the handle 104 such that the apparatus 128 extends downwardly from the handle towards the user and the surface of the floor F. During use, the rolling device 144 contacts and rolls along the surface of the floor F thereby reducing the friction between the cleaning surface 108 of the cleaning device 100 and the surface of the floor F and the amount of effort to push a cleaning device 100 across the surface of the floor F.

The present invention is a new and novel cleaning device for removing dust or dirt from the surface of a floor that reduces the amount of effort necessary to push a the cleaning device across the surface of a floor, that can be used on most conventional push brooms and dust mops, that can be easily installed and removed, and is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, it should be noted that there are alternative ways of implementing the claimed invention. Accordingly, the present embodiments and examples are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims. 

1. A cleaning device for removing dust or dirt from the surface of a floor, the cleaning device comprising: a base having a handle inserted therein; a cleaning surface attached to said base; and an apparatus effective for reducing the amount of effort necessary to push the cleaning device across the surface of the floor; wherein said apparatus comprises a block having a rolling device and means for mounting said apparatus to said handle such that during operation said apparatus is supported by said handle and said rolling device rolls along the surface of the floor.
 2. The cleaning device of claim 1 wherein said cleaning surface is formed from a plurality of bristles.
 3. The cleaning device of claim 1 wherein said cleaning surface comprises a collection of strands of yarn fastened to a fabric backing.
 4. The cleaning device of claim 1 wherein said apparatus is removably attached to said handle.
 5. The cleaning device of claim 1 wherein said apparatus further comprises an aperture there through for receiving said handle.
 6. The cleaning device of claim 1 wherein said apparatus includes means for accommodating larger or smaller diameter handles.
 7. The cleaning device of claim 1 wherein said block is formed from wood.
 8. The cleaning device of claim 1 wherein said block is formed from a plastic.
 9. A cleaning device for removing dust or dirt from the surface of a floor, the cleaning device comprising: an elongated base having a handle inserted therein; a cleaning surface attached to said base; and an apparatus effective for reducing the amount of effort necessary to push the cleaning device across the surface of the floor; wherein said apparatus comprises an elongated block having a top face and a bottom face, first and second side faces, and an upper end and a lower end, said lower end is provided with at least one rolling device extending longitudinally therefrom; and at least one aperture extending through said top and lower faces and is adapted to receive therethrough said handle such that in operation, said elongated block extends downwardly from said handle such that said rolling device contacts and rolls along the surface of the floor thereby reducing the friction between said cleaning surface and the surface of the floor.
 10. The cleaning device of claim 9 wherein said cleaning surface is formed from a plurality of bristles.
 11. The cleaning device of claim 9 wherein said cleaning surface comprises a collection of strands of yarn fastened to a fabric backing.
 12. The cleaning device of claim 9 wherein said apparatus is removably attached to said handle.
 13. The cleaning device of claim 9 wherein said block is formed from wood.
 14. The cleaning device of claim 9 wherein said block is formed from a plastic.
 15. An apparatus for attaching to the handle of a conventional push broom or mop having a cleaning surface for removing dust and dirt from the surface of the floor, the apparatus comprising: an elongated block having a top face and a bottom face, first and second side faces, and an upper end and a lower end, said lower end is provided with at least one rolling device extending longitudinally therefrom, and at least one aperture extending through said top and lower faces adapted to receive therethrough the handle such that in operation, said elongated block extends downwardly from the handle such that said rolling device contacts and rolls along the surface of the floor thereby reducing the friction between said cleaning surface and the surface of the floor. 